Party at 15 Central Park West

When the New York Times profiled the burgeoning trend of ultra-lush, real estate bashes–complete with pop stars and haute cuisine–developer Arthur Zeckendorf seemed unimpressed. “I cannot say that we’ve had to do that,” he told Motoko Rich. “It’s probably a lot of hype for not much return except to get some press articles.”

Nevertheless, brothers Arthur and William Lie Zeckendorf were on hand Tuesday night, throwing a lavish party at Jazz at Lincoln Center to show off their latest development, 15 Central Park West. (The location was just two blocks from where the 202-unit, luxury building is being built).

Certainly, the Zeckendorf brothers can claim bragging rights, for not only breaking the billion dollar sales barrier–in what we’re told is a “North American sales record”–but for also enticing high-profile buyers like Denzel Washington, Daniel Loeb, and, most recently, Sting.

Perhaps too busy with Jivamukti postures, Sting did not perform: instead, saxophonist Francesco Cafiso played for the future residents of 15 C.P.W. Indeed, the party was for only for brokers and those individuals who already scooped up apartments. Prospective buyers, or Manhattanites just looking for free cocktails, were not welcome.

So buyers and their brokers mingled throughout the evening. Dorothy Somekh represented both camps: a broker at Halstead, she bought a $2.5 million unit. “It’s an investment: these units are only going to appreciate in value,” she predicted. The “materials”–namely, the limestone–were also a draw.

Broker Janet Gifford of Brown Harris Stevens remarked that this sort of development began “about 10 to 15 years ago.” She cited the nearby glass-sheathed Time Warner Center as the building’s predecessor.

“The building is so chichi,” said one buyer who wished to remain anonymous. Currently an Upper East Sider, she hasn’t had the guts to tell her friends that they may have take a (gasp!) cross-town bus to see her. “Somehow it’s not a reality until they’re finished, and I’m moving in.”

Also on hand was architect Robert A.M. Stern, probably engrossed in conversation about Indiana limestone or Rosario Candela floor plans from the 1920’s. For this project, there will be a 20-story building known as the House that faces Central Park, with the 43-story Tower behind it.

Facing towards the saxophonist, Corcoran V.P. Haidee Granger sat with her client (and friend) Barbara Gallagher. Ms. Granger not only set Ms. Gallagher up with an apartment, but is also hosting her in the meantime. Both live nearby, and Ms. Granger explained in a prim South African accent that “You can hear the construction for 15 Central Park West–unless you have soundproof windows, like I do.” (Apparently at Trump International–where Ms. Gallagher rents–does not have this advantage.)

For Ms. Gallagher, a sitcom writer/ producer who got her start on The Dick Van Dyke Show and worked for S.N.L. in the ’70s, is planning to use her new pad for writing screenplays. “The other half of the time, I’ll be in L.A.,” she added. Regarding L.A., Ms. Granger, speaking like a true New Yorker remarked: “it’s a very blah place.”